Your body mass index, or BMI, is an indicator of your body fat. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by the square of your height in inches, and then multiplying that figure by 703. Medical professionals calculate their patients’ BMIs to help determine whether they are underweight, overweight, or at a healthy weight.

Though BMI isn’t the only indicator of wellness, it can help give medical professionals a good idea of their patients’ health. According to most doctors, the average person’s BMI should fall between 18.5 and 24.9. Those with a BMI below 18.5 are considered underweight, while those above 25 are considered overweight. If you have a BMI higher than 30, you are considered obese. Those with a BMI of 35 or above may be good candidates for bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery.

The doctors at West Hills Hospital can help you make sense of your BMI and bring it within a normal range. Call (818) 676-4000 to set up an appointment or visit our West Hills emergency room if you require emergency care.

Many overweight women resist exercise because they find it difficult or embarrassing. However, exercise can by easy as long as you start slow and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts.

In this video, several women explain how they came to embrace exercise. Though they were initially frustrated and embarrassed by their slowness, they quickly realized that it’s okay to go slow. These women increased their speed as they started shedding pounds, and came to accept exercise to be a necessary part of their lives.

Exercising for 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 40% and your risk of stroke by 25%. For help starting a healthy exercise regimen, check out West Hills Hospital’s Med-Fit program. You can call our information and referral line at (818) 676-4000 or visit us online to learn more .

In 2014, millions of Americans will vow to increase their exercise efforts. Unfortunately, many will make unrealistic goals and eventually abandon their fitness aspirations. To make sure you stick to your health commitments, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about starting a healthy exercise routine.

The adage “you have to walk before you can run” is most aptly used in reference to starting an exercise regimen. If it’s been years since you’ve done any kind of exercise, don’t expect to immediately start running three miles a day. To avoid injury, start out by walking for 20 minutes every other day. Once you’re feeling confident, increase your workouts to 30 minutes, five days a week. It’s important to invest in a good pair of walking or running shoes when starting your exercise routine. Also, finding a workout buddy can help you stick to your commitment.

West Hills Hospital wants you to find a workout routine that best suits your lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be too hard to maintain or intimidating. A licensed physical therapist can help you target a program tailored to your individual needs. And here’s the really good news: it is surprisingly affordable. We urge West Hills residents to call us at (818) 676-4000 with any health-related questions and, in particular, to learn more about our Med-Fit program at the Center for Rehab and Fitness .

Most people’s weight loss efforts are fueled by their desire to look better. However, the benefits of weight loss go well beyond the cosmetic—achieving a healthy weight can benefit one’s general wellbeing in numerous ways. In an effort to promote good health in 2014, West Hills Hospital urges West Hills residents to consider the health benefits of weight loss .

Healthier Joints The more you weigh, the more pressure your joints have to endure. Those who are overweight are often very likely to suffer from osteoarthritis of the knees, which can make walking very difficult and may make knee replacement surgery necessary. If you vow to eat healthier and exercise more in 2014, you can reduce the amount of pressure on your knees, hips, and ankles, which can help keep these joints in good shape for years to come.

Stronger Spine Losing weight—whether it’s through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery—can also help alleviate back pain. Like the knees, hips, and ankles, the spine can cause great discomfort when burdened by extra weight. One of the most common conditions is a herniated disc, which occurs when sustained pressure damages the cartilage between vertebrae. If you experience back pain, you’ll find that weight loss is an effective and healthy means to reduce discomfort .

Lower Risk of Heart Disease The larger your body is, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood. Those who are overweight—that is, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater—are more inclined to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can drastically increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Making an effort to bring your BMI within the normal range (18.5 to 24.9) can help reduce your risk of numerous deadly conditions and help increase your lifespan.

Losing weight is a great way to stay out of the hospital. For more information, call our program coordinator at (818) 676-4141. Our coordinator has personal experience with our popular Med-Fit program at the Center for Rehab and Fitness . Still, if you experience any emergencies, West Hills Hospital will provide prompt and effective treatment. You may also call us at (818) 676-4000 to learn about upcoming free seminars to improve your general wellness .

Heart disease claims about 600,000 American lives every year, making it the leading cause of death in the United States. By the time you begin experiencing lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and other heart disease symptoms, it may be too late to combat the disease through non-surgical means. Instead of waiting for symptoms, you should take the advice of West Hills Hospital and resolve in the New Year to make heart healthy strides .

Reduce Stress Levels Though it’s not clear whether stress is itself a risk factor for heart disease, chronic stress can worsen other risk factors, such as high blood pressure. Stress is a perfectly natural defense mechanism that can be beneficial in small doses. Stress that is sustained for weeks or months can lead to a poor diet, difficulty sleeping, high blood pressure, and numerous other health issues. For the sake of your heart health, eliminate the aspects of your life that cause you undue stress and find healthy ways to relax, such as meditation or long baths.

Watch What You Eat Highly processed foods that are high in sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and trans and saturated fats can literally clog your arteries. To reduce your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and lean proteins. Instead of eating three large meals every day, consider six smaller meals.

With the help of a skilled doctor, you can make 2014 the healthiest year of your life. Call West Hills Hospital at (818) 676-4000 to obtain useful health information from our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line. We’re dedicated to providing excellent care to the residents of West Hills and beyond.

If you’ve ever watched television during the wee hours, you’ve likely come across commercials for miracle weight loss products. For the sake of your own safety, you should always view these commercials with a skeptical eye.

This video from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration attempts to pull back the curtain on so-called miracle weight loss products. Many of these products have “supplements” that are actually drugs for blood pressure and seizures. Some companies sell weight loss treatments that are not approved by the FDA and can potentially cause cancer or other serious conditions.

The best way to find a reliable weight loss strategy is to consult your doctor . If you live in or around West Hills, call West Hills Hospital at (818) 676-4000 to set up an appointment.